The amount of water you should drink daily varies by factors such as sex, age, activity level, climate, and health status. General guidelines based on authoritative sources are:
- For healthy adult men, about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of total fluids per day is recommended.
- For healthy adult women, about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of total fluids per day is recommended.
These totals include all fluids consumed, not just plain water, but also beverages like tea, coffee, and water content in foods such as fruits and vegetables
. Other recommendations include:
- The NHS suggests 6 to 8 cups (about 1.9 to 2.5 liters) of fluids daily for most adults, adjusting upward for hotter climates or increased physical activity
- Children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women have different needs, with pregnant women advised around 10 cups and breastfeeding women about 13 cups of fluids daily
- Physical activity and environmental temperature increase fluid needs; more water is needed to replace losses from sweating
The common "8 glasses a day" rule is a rough guideline and not scientifically precise for everyone. Individual hydration needs vary, so drinking according to thirst and adjusting for lifestyle factors is important
. In summary, aim for about 3.7 liters (men) or 2.7 liters (women) of total fluids daily, adjusting based on activity, climate, and personal health.
